Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-05

w. $1,000
of the trees which overhung the creek and
seated themselves on the meadow grass be.
meath. 1t was scene to medicine sor-
row. The cool, green shadow around and
overhead, the silvery flowing water, the
spire OF the village church glinting in the
sunshine, and beyond the boundary of The
blue hills stretching away-away in their
lines of everlasting beauty. To those who
have looked upon them from the valley OF
the Onondaga, how often has came the
blessed thoughts of the promise written in
love divine upon their crests
"As the hills stand about Jerusalem, so
standeth the Lord about his people forever
more!"
And the central figures in this scene
were not less rare. Both beautiful, yet diff
fering SO widely. Amber's fair, pale face,
through which shone an expression of del
icate and alert comprehension, less heavy
than the Saxon, betraying the French
blood in the veins the dark dress and sub
dued manner contrasting with the gay
gown of Fay; the butterfly colors suiting
well the dark face glowing with health ;
the flashing eyes and light restless motions.
Each had her work-Amber's part OF
her weekly task of mending Fay, a light
piece of basket-weaving. Amber was ST.
lent, seemingly occupied with sad thoughts.
Fay noticed the coming shadow and asked
her to sing. Amber began an Indian song
that her companion had taught her. Fay
Joined her, and when the quaint, sweet
measure was finished, there followed songs
both French and English; and one lastly
which was popular IN those days, "The
Banks of Allan Water" Amber had heard
the sweet and simple ballads on happy
evening in the old home at Detroit. Her
voice faltered on the closing line:
On the banks of Allan water
None so sad as She"
Fay looked up and saw the tears falling
over Rene's little patched jacket She drew
Closer.
What for you sorry? What for cry ?
No good for you. Tell Fay? Is it for
father? He happy now
Amber shook her head, unable to speak
Tell Fay" the soft voice again pleaded !;
- Fay much sorry"
Yes, why should she not 1t would be
Q relief to speak. even though Fay could
not understand all aud TO refuse her SYM
pathy would offend and estrange her, which
in her utter loneliness Amber felt woGld be
more than she could bear. She had told
Fay all of her short and simple history in
the many hours they spent together, only
reserving this sweet, sad past, now so full
of regret and pain.
Fay was qnick to comprehend. BY one
of her sudden graceful and sipuous move
ments she had drawn herself TO Amber S
feet and rested her head against her knee,
that she might not seem to see the April
like shadows which fitted across the face
of the narrator, as she told the story of her
love and sorrows.
Fay was greatly excited-her eyes seemed
ahame. She sprang up and walked swiftly
back and forth when Amber ceased. Then
she turned and said : " You believe 'um
Ha You diudyS believe 'um ? Never tell
lies? Ha -
The white girl started and flushed The
first sensation was that of humiliation that
the Indian had penetrated her secret cause
of so much uneasiness and grief to herself,
and her chief trouble in training her little
brother to high standard OF sincerity and
manly honor. Her heart gave bound at
the possibility that madame's statement
was false. Then she was angry with her.
self that she could be glad at a conclusion
that implied such baseness. But thought
once reused could not be guided. She
realized what the motive would be. Yet,
how could she know that Hubert Ainslie
was unchanged? Why had he not sought
her, if he were so near?
Fay solved the difficulty.
Write paper. Fay will take it," she
said.
Amber shook her head
Fay will see," persisted the Indian
girl. Fay not tell nobody. All safe
here" striking her hand over her heart.
Amber closed the conversation by rising
to return home She longed to be alone
with her newly-awakened hopes.
Dull asyesterday' campfire, they looked
to her, as she patiently went through with
her usual task on the following morning,
her mind intent upon her new hopes.
What were they? Only the quick fancies
of girl even less wise and experienced
than herself She must learn to discipline
her heart and live down the pain. Fay did
not come for her accustomed lesson in
English and embroidery, and the little
boys informed Amber that she had joined
a Deriving party which was to be absent
several days Pierre and Rene were much
aggrieved because they had not been al
lowed 10 go, and were idle and restless,
trying their gentle sisters patience to the
utmost. How often is the pain of last
ing grief lessened by the counter irritant-
the surface pricking-of daily small cares
and veXations
SeVerdI uGNS udu passed. III tue Sdile
manner, when one afternoon, as Amber sat
alone sewing, Fay suddenly entered. She
looked the embodiment of health sssand
buoyant free spirits. After answering
few questions concerning their expedition.
she insisted upon taking her friend out to
one OK their woody haunts; and when
they were entirely safe from caves
choppers she began her story
Fay has seen the young white chief with
the bright eyes. We went to the camp on
the meadows to sell berries. Capt Forbes
knew me. He was good to me. He talked
much. / wanted to see the Captain from
Detroit He take me to his tent. He
laugh much and say, Ainsiie, young lady
want to see you. You con en-ter--tain
her (The long word was drawn out with
an effort, which showed how carefully she
had impressed upon her memory The
whole interview l hold out some her
ries. He take some and pay me. He say,
is that all? He never look at me. H.
look Throwing into her mobile feat
ures and sparkling eyes an expression Of
WEAKNESS and preoccupation that would
have made her nearer smile on any other
occasion) II was worth looking at with
poui) in the pink frOck yon make.
What can say? | cannot say. Two men
tDere look at NE. vi Y UtdFt 50 NinShltiR Il
clustering motion with her HANDY. | pre-
tend to speak no English, and go way
Amber sighed with disappoint nent,
though she did not know that she had ex-
pected any cheerful tidings.
But this was not all. Fay's sharp eyes
had taken in every detail of the camp and
its approaches. Berries in hand she had
gone every where and asked questions
where her eyes failed to make her under
stand. All had been kind and polite to
the chiefs daughter. The way TO the
white chiefs tent was as open to her by
night as by day, and she entreated Amber
to come with her and ascertain what was
wrong between herself aud her lover.
This daughter of an English mother,
with her convent education, shrank at
first from the proposal. There seemed to
be indelicacy and presumption in the
thought Fay left her to her reflections
Perhaps she knew it was the best way to
win her. Sad and peiplexing were Ann
bers thoughts; but love triumphed. Had
she not promised to be the wife of this
man? Ought she not 10 take the only
means open to her 10 clear up the mvs-
terry of his silence? And, while she
dreaded and doubted, Fay startled her with
the rumor that the camp on the meadows
was soon to be broken up. The opportu-
nifty lost it might not return She decided
to go that night.
The sounds of the village died out, and
lights were extinguished early amid this
primitive people. Then the two friends
stole out into the cool starlight. Each
wore dark wrap which was hardly TO be
IL